Aryna Sabalenka Returns to Action at China Open After Losing World No. 1 Ranking

Sports Correspondent: Imran Sohail

Belarusian tennis star Aryna Sabalenka says she is feeling fresh and physically stronger as she prepares to return to competitive action at the China Open in Beijing.

The tournament will be Sabalenka’s first since she lost the world No. 1 ranking to Kazakhstan’s Elena Rybakina, who also defeated her in the US Open final earlier this month.

Sabalenka Feels Fresh After Limited Match Schedule

Sabalenka, a four-time Grand Slam champion, held the top position in the WTA rankings for 99 weeks before Rybakina moved ahead of her.

The 28-year-old has not won a tournament since March and will finish the year without a Grand Slam title for the first time since 2022.

Speaking ahead of the China Open, Sabalenka said playing fewer matches had helped her feel refreshed.

She also described her US Open campaign as an important point in regaining her physical and mental strength after a difficult period during the middle of the season.

“I started to enjoy tennis again because of being healthy mentally and physically,” Sabalenka said.

Sabalenka Begins Beijing Campaign as Second Seed

Sabalenka has been placed as the second seed in Beijing, behind Rybakina.

She will begin her campaign in the round of 64 against either Hungary’s Anna Bondar or Mexico’s Renata Zarazua.

Rybakina, meanwhile, will face either Ukraine’s Yulia Starodubtseva or Armenia’s Alina Charaeva.

Last year’s champion Amanda Anisimova will miss the tournament after announcing that she had ended her season early because of a wrist injury.

Djokovic Returns With Strong China Open Record

The men’s draw will feature Serbian great Novak Djokovic, who is seeking another China Open title.

Djokovic has won the tournament six times and has never lost a singles match at the event. The 39-year-old is currently ranked 11th in the world and will open his campaign against Portugal’s Nuno Borges.